A bill to prohibit straw gun purchases is pending in the U.S. Senate's Judiciary Committee. A straw purchase involves someone legally buying a firearm for someone who can't legally own a gun or doesn't want to be associated with the transaction.

"This is a measure that is central to any effort to combat gun violence in all states," said Blumenthal, who acknowledged there would be an uphill battle against the powerful gun lobby to get the bill passed. "We are here in Bridgeport because nobody here knows better than officials here the cost of illegal gun trafficking."

While many states, including Connecticut, have laws against straw purchases, Blumenthal and Murphy described them as a patchwork that doesn't cover purchases made across state lines.

In addition, the senators said some states don't have tough penalties for such purchases. The Senate bill would set a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Blumenthal pointed out that in 2007, Stratford gun dealer Frank D'Andrea, who had been accused of selling to straw purchasers, received only 3 1/2 years in prison.

"If this legislation had been in place at that time, he would have received 20 or 30 years in prison," Blumenthal said. "We intend to strip the bottom feeders from fueling violence."